Bulldogs ready to rip into massive grand final weekend

Emma Heron
Journalist Chinchilla News
I am the quintessential city girl who went bush to follow my passion for journalism.
In search of some sunshine and a good story, I left a marketing job in Melbourne and started my new career at Chinchilla News.
After experiencing journalism in front of the camera and from behind a radio desk, Chinchilla News is my first foray into print.
Equal to my love of writing is my appetite for meeting fascinating people- of which there are plenty in the Surat Basin.

Popular Stories

Local Real Estate

Cars For Sale

GLORY beckons for the Chinchilla Bulldogs A-grade and Reserve-grade sides as they prepare to travel to Roma this Sunday for a huge day of grand final action.

The Bulldogs' Under-16s were knocked out of final contention with their 36-19 loss to Mitchell in Roma on Sunday.

Coach Quinton Stevenson said he was not disappointed with the season-ending loss.

"They had to leave it all out there so they could still feel ok at the end of the game and they did that," Stevenson said.

Mick Ashurst's A-graders had to battle for their tight victory against Cities, 22-18.

Ashurst said he felt like his Dogs were in control for most of the game, a sentiment he hoped to echo when they meet St George in the grand final this Sunday.

Chinchilla Bulldogs president Kel Gaske said 2014 had been a major turnaround year for the club.

"There have been years when we have struggled to get enough players to field full sides, then this year coaches had to make the heartbreaking decision to actually cut men to put together grand finals teams," he said.

GRAND FINAL PREVIEWS

RESERVE-GRADE

THEIR coach says they are "the complete package" and his Bulldogs Reserves are yet to prove him wrong.

Undefeated for the entire 2014 season, the ferocious Bulldogs B-grade men are ready to rip into their final showdown for the year.

They are hungry to take the Roma and District Rugby League B-grade premiership over Roma Cities on Sunday.

The teams have clashed three times this year, with Cities never coming closer than 10 points to victory.

The Bulldogs Reserves punished Cities in round 1 fixtures and were looking to end Roma's season with the ringing of the same death knell.

Coach Andrew "Muddy" Hammermeister, who took on the role for the first time this year, said his team could not be matched in speed, size or versatility.

"They're a great bunch of blokes who believe in themselves and in each other," he said.

"We've got some gun young players and some hard-hitting more experienced guys and they combine to make the perfect package.

"They're feeling great going into this weekend."

Hammermeister said the worst part of his job had been selecting the final squad from the 40 players who had gotten the team through to the glory game.

A-GRADE

MINOR premiers and big point scorers, the Chinchilla Bulldogs A-grade side is poised for its season's final stoush.

The Dogs will meet St George Saints on Roma soil this Sunday.

Coach Mick Ashurst, who knows firsthand the sweet taste of Bulldog premiership glory, said his team was ready to bring home the trophy that last decorated the Dog House in 2011.

The A-grade men did not cruise into the grand final game despite a dominant season on football fields across the district.

The last time they met the St George clan, the Saints sent the Dogs whimpering into a knock-out semi-final.

They bit back last weekend against Cities, 22-18, and Ashurst said his team was ready for its second and final run at the Saints.

"We've done well all year because we have a healthy respect for our opposition," Ashurst said.

"St George has a quick back line so we know going into the weekend that our defence has to be strong.

"Defence wins these games."

Ashurst is hoping for hot conditions on Sunday so his team's unmatched fitness will grind down the Saints.